‘How Long, O Lord?’: Constitutional Protection for Plural Marriage

‘How Long, O Lord?’: Constitutional Protection for Plural Marriage Polygamous Mormons have (unsuccessfully) invoked the Constitution as a shield against prosecution for their ‘domestic arrangements” ever since their practice of the principle was first made public in 1852. This session offers a historical and legal perspective on pertinent constitutional arguments, and tries to predict their future success with the Supreme Court. The (ironic) conclusion: Fundamentalist Mormons can expect constitutional protection when the court extends the line of Griswold v. Connecticut (legalizing birth control) and Roe v. Wade (legalizing abortion) to encompass homosexual relationships. No legal education will be presupposed, and I invite questions and participation from the audience.

L. Rex Sears, Mary P. Batchelor